Brief: Educating the next generation

At the end of this month, or early next month, elementary schools throughout the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will be welcoming parents of incoming kindergartners.

Kindergarten Round-Up, as the yearly event is called, is an opportunity for Santa Monica and Malibu parents to meet the principal of their neighborhood school, visit classrooms and enroll their children for either kindergarten or transitional kindergarten.

To be eligible for kindergarten, students must turn 5 before Sept. 1. Transitional kindergarten is for students who turn 5 on Sept. 2 through Dec. 2, district officials said.

Parents will need to bring with them their child’s birth certificate, health records, and proof of residency in Santa Monica or Malibu. That could include a gas, water or electric bill.

The Round-Up starts Feb. 26 or 27 for most schools. Most site visits take place at either 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. For a list, visit www.smmusd.org or call (310) 450-8338.